By Dana Bockman, Facilitator of Instruction and Assessment I find myself taking a deep breath in and a long exhale out before entering the building each morning. I think I am trying to center myself and prepare my mind and body to handle what the day might bring. I come each day with a plan for what I am going to accomplish and meetings to attend, but I am well aware that many items will not be crossed off and additional meetings will be scheduled. More often than not this year, fires ignite and need to be put out. I spend much time reacting to what has come up in the moment. I imagine I am not at all alone in this.
Then, this article was sent my way by Liz Fox. She shared that it really spoke to her. As I read, I kept nodding my head in agreement with every word on the page. I guess it was speaking to me too. It is a little lengthy, but a message I think we all should hear right now. Why Is This So Hard? On Workload, Pressure, and the Ways through the Woods by Dave Stuart Jr. It is okay to just be okay right now. It is okay to not like things right now. We should not measure our work this year against any other year we have ever been in education. If we do, we are setting the bar at an unreachable height. We need to go easy on ourselves. We need to allow ourselves some grace. This will not be perfect, and that is okay.
3 Comments
Tyler
9/24/2020 11:59:45 am
The idea of needing a new measurement tool struck me in the article because it makes perfect sense; however, hard to do when outside forces mandate similar results by the end of the year as in a normal year. Timing everything out also feels like a management nightmare. The idea of grace for ourselves and for our colleagues is something that hopefully transcends this pandemic.
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Rachelle Branum
9/24/2020 03:29:09 pm
Yes!
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Karen Klotzbach
9/24/2020 03:17:31 pm
I have found myself using the word “grace” with parents as I help them move through remote learnIng, for their children and themselves. How is it so difficult for ourselves as educators to allow ourselves grace this year. I hope each of you can allow yourself grace to handle each day as needed, and to allow yourself to feel the emotions you face daily. We have a wonderful community of coworkers that I am proud to say I work with at DCSD. My thoughts are with each one of you as you move through this trying time. Allow yourself grace! Breathe deep!
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